Expandable elevating bolster for legs and back

ABSTRACT

A folding bolster is used to treat circulation problems to prevent pooling of fluids in patients. The bolster has three members connected together end-to-end. A first member has a free end and a hinged end connected to a center member which has a hinged end and flexible joints connecting the base member which includes a ratchet device. The members are folded together to form an adjustable triangular frame with the free end of the first member engaging the ratchet device. A patient is supported by the center member to improve circulation.

PRIORITY

[0001] This invention is based on U.S. Provisional Application, Serial No. 60/410,248, filed Sep. 12, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to devices to aid in blood circulation and more particularly to a bolster to support and elevate a portion of a person's body.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0003] When there is obstruction from proximal pressure or some other impeding condition, the return of blood and lymph fluid proximal to the heart and chest results in pain, swelling, ulceration, pigmentation, and other maladies of the lower extremity. Injuries such as fractures, lacerations, contusions, for example, that are accompanied with tissue swelling similarly decrease the natural return of blood and lymph. Such may result in longer healing processes. When blood pools in the deep venous system thrombophlebitis and lymph edema can occur from simple external pressure to the calf or a prolonged dependent position.

[0004] External compression dressings help to overcome these problems, but the most effective method is simply to elevate the lower extremity above the level of the heart. In such a position gravity accompanied by the muscular contraction and the negative venous pressure supplied by the normal cardiac contractions will rapidly resolve the peripheral edema in most instances. Following childbirth and certain operative procedures, in order to prevent both superficial and deep phlebitis, the legs are elevated. Many methods of doing this are ineffective or dangerous. Such is found when pillows are placed beneath the calves. Other methods include elevating the bottom and the head of special hospital type beds. This results in pooling blood in the pelvis and setting the stage for a pelvic phlebitis. Still other methods to elevate the bed require placing a chair or some sort of jack under the foot of the bed. This is cumbersome and the angle of elevation is severely limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] With the same apparatus, elevation of the head and back of the person in bed is also possible. By simply reversing the apparatus, the head and shoulders or a reclining individual can be elevated to a secure and comfortable position.

[0006] Moreover, in order to prevent the apparatus from changing position, the base is covered by a material with a high coefficient of friction so that it is superficially adherent to the ordinary sheets.

[0007] Attention is addressed to the material used to construct the apparatus so that it is safe, effective, light weight, simple, and comfortable.

[0008] Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of this invention; and

[0010]FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Although the invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0012]FIG. 1 shows the lateral view of an apparatus 10 and the component parts of an expandable elevating bolster for the legs and back. It is comprised of three main members: an end member 1, a center member 2, and base member 3. End member 1 is attached at its superior end to center member 2 with through connectors 14 to a hinge 6. At the inferior end, center member 2 is attached to the base member 3 by flexible joints 10.

[0013] A ratchet device 5 with multiple slanted depressions or detents 8 is fixedly attached, approximately midway, with through connectors 14 to the base member 3. The free end of the end member 1 cooperates with the ratchet 5 to form a triangular shaped frame. The interior angles of the triangular shaped frame are adjustable as the free end of end member 1 engages different ratchet positions.

[0014] Attached to the upper surface of member 2 is a cover 11 on which is fixedly attached a soft surface with lateral elevations 7. The cover 11 or the top portion of the cover for the soft surface extends past the joints 10 to rest on the surface 4 on which the entire apparatus is positioned. Pillows 12 and stick figures 13 demonstrate the alternate positions with foot or head elevated on the apparatus.

[0015] The invention is used for therapeutic purposes and for comfort when elevation of the head and torso or the legs is preferable to the supine state. The apparatus 10 rest on a surface 4 and is comprised of three main parts: 1,2, and 3. Member 1 is attached to member 2 by a hinge 6 that may be inside or outside the attached site and permits free movement to member 1. Member two is attached to member three at the other end by flexible joints 10. A member 14 that has multiple deep depressions 8 is fixedly attached to member 3. By placing member 1 in various depressions 8 in 14, the angle of elevation of member 2 is changed. Between the members 2 is attached a sturdy material 9 on whose surface placed a soft pad with elevations along the sides 7. The covering of the pad extends past the flexible joints 10 to rest on the surface 4 in order for the body weight to keep the apparatus from moving. The two positions of application are depicted by stick FIG. 13 and pillows 12.

[0016] It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bolster for elevating a portion of the body to alleviate pooling of internal fluids, said bolster comprising a folding frame having three members, a first member having a free end and an opposite end, said opposite end including a first cooperating portion of a hinge, a center member having two ends, said center member having a second cooperating portion of a hinge affixed to one end, said first and second cooperating portions of said hinge pivotally connected, a pivoting joint attached to the second end of said center member, and a base member having a free end and a connected end, said connected end attached to said pivoting joint, a ratchet device attached to said base member between said free end and said connected end, said ratchet device having multiple detents, said free end of said first member engaging a detent of said multiple detents thereby forming a triangular frame having adjustable elevation and angle of said center member.
 2. A bolster of claim I wherein a cover is attached to said center member between said two ends, said cover formed of a non-slip material, said cover adapted to support a portion of the body in an elevated position.
 3. A folding bolster for elevating a portion of the body to alleviate pooling of internal fluids, said bolster comprising a folding frame having three members, a first member having a free end and an opposite end, said opposite end including a first cooperating portion of a hinge, a center member having two ends, said center member having a second cooperating portion of a hinge affixed to one end, said first and second cooperating portions of said hinge pivotally connected, said first member and said center member being in parallel relationship, a pivoting joint attached to the second end of said center member, and a base member having a free end and a connected end, said connected end attached to said pivoting joint, said center member and said base member being in parallel relationship, a ratchet device attached to said base member between said free end and said connected end, said ratchet device having multiple detents, whereby said free end of said first member is adapted to engage a detent of said multiple detents thereby forming a triangular frame having adjustable elevation and angle of said center member.
 4. A bolster of claim 3 wherein a cover is attached to said center member between said two ends, said cover formed of a non-slip material, said cover adapted to support a portion of the body in an elevated position.
 5. A method of improving circulation in a patient comprising the steps of providing a) a folding bolster for elevating a portion of the body to alleviate pooling of internal fluids, said bolster comprising a folding frame having three members, a first member having a free end and an opposite end, said opposite end including a first cooperating portion of a hinge, a center member having two ends, said center member having a second cooperating portion of a hinge affixed to one end, said first and second cooperating portions of said hinge pivotally connected, said first member and said center member being in parallel relationship, a pivoting joint attached to the second end of said center member, and a base member having a free end and a connected end, said connected end attached to said pivoting joint, said center member and said base member being in parallel relationship, a ratchet device attached to said base member between said free end and said connected end, said ratchet device having multiple detents, b) folding said bolster by placing said base member on a supporting surface, and pivoting said first member to engage said free end in said ratchet device, c) placing the patient on the supporting surface and moving said center member into contact with a portion of the body, d) adjusting said angle and elevation of said center member by selection of a particular detent of said multiple detents, and e) allowing said bolster to remain in place a period of time sufficient to reduce pooling.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said center member is placed in contact with the legs of the patient and the legs are at a higher elevation than the heart.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said center member is placed in contact with the back of the patient and the heart is higher than the legs. 